For the transition to a live format for the 2017 season, Simon has retained a metallic pink/purple and yellow helmet design as he has since the show's foundation. BEn has changed helmet design for every season though for 2017 has returned to a predominantly black design similar to his 2013 Celtic patterned black design.
Since 2013, Ben has driven almost exclusively under a Scottish flag. Simon is also of Scottish descent but has driven entirely under the British flag for the duration of the series.
Over the years, it has been very rare for both hosts to compete under identical conditions resulting in performance swinging back and forth between the two. 2017's first live broadcast season is the first with consistently roughly equal conditions.
Simon is generally considered to be the better and faster driver, although Ben is smoother and less prone to accident. Simon exhibits much greater performance consistency which tends to lead to stronger race distance performance while Ben is the stronger qualifier around 52% of the time.
In wet weather conditions, especially full wet - Ben tends to be the stronger of the two by up to one second per lap in some cases.
Simon is generally considered to be the better and faster driver, although Ben is smoother and less prone to accident. Simon exhibits much greater performance consistency which tends to lead to stronger race distance performance while Ben is the stronger qualifier around 52% of the time.
In wet weather conditions, especially full wet - Ben tends to be the stronger of the two by up to one second per lap in some cases.